3 of the Worst Airports in the US

Last month I had written a piece on three of the most amazing airports in the US. Featuring trendy shops, sleek designs and even a full-fledged aquarium, the three airports were truly amazing in terms of service and features. However, obviously not all airports can be amazing. Unfortunately, sometimes they can not even be satisfactory. With that being said, I figured I would be fair and list a few of the worst airports in America.

LaGuardia Airport

Located in Queens, New York, LaGuardia is one of the three major airports located in The Big Apple—JFK International and Newark Liberty International being the other two. And although the airport has seen a large influx of customers, its rankings have dropped quite a bit, with LaGuardia consistently being ranked as one of the worst airports in the country. What usually contributes to that low score is LaGuardia’s aging facilities and reports of squatters and unsanitary conditions. According to various reports, LaGuardia is becoming something of a city-shelter for the homeless. Many of the airport’s employees claim to have even seen several homeless people using the bathrooms as personal showers. Things only got worse for the aging airport in 2014 after then Vice President of the United States Joe Biden compared its conditions to that of a third world country. However, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has recently announced a $4 billion renovation—which should completely redesign the airport—planned for completion in the next few years. Until then, however, if you are ever in the New York area and need a flight, it may be best to skip LaGuardia for now.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport

One of the country’s most traffic-heavy airports is also one of the worst. O’Hare does not necessarily have any blatant issues with its technology or infrastructure—although with technology’s rapid evolvement, the most state of the art airport can quickly become outdated—instead, its problems lie mainly in customer service and travel delays. According to multiple user reviews, O’Hare International is bogged down by its rude employees and attendants, poorly designed waiting areas and slow service. One reviewer even claims that baggage claim took well over an hour. O’Hare has also become synonymous with flight delays, which adds to its unfavorable scores.

Los Angeles International

Another popular airport on the list, Los Angeles International, commonly referred to as LAX, is the cause of millions of travelers’ headaches for a variety of reasons. As is usual, many complain about the airport’s outdated facilities and slow service; but one of the more unique issues with LAX is not just its slow speed, but also its location. According to a report from Business Insider, the average time it takes to get from Downtown LA to LAX is over an hour! Apparently, LAX also has a shocking lack of power outlets, which, in today’s world where almost every person traveling has at least a cell phone to charge, is unacceptable.

Dave Pflieger is currently the CEO of Island Air and previously the President and CEO of Silver Airways. Previously, Dave Pflieger was the CEO & Managing Director of Air Pacific (later Fiji Airways). Before joining Air Pacific, Mr. Pflieger was a Founding Officer and Senior Vice President at Virgin America from 2004 to 2010.